-- The Huskies played their worst first half this season, trailing 27-15 at the break. They had no energy. They were in an offensive fog, converting only five of 27 shots. They scored their lowest point total since trailing UMass, 30-9, in December 2002.

“We didn’t have any energy, any passion,” junior Tyler Olander said. “We were just kind of going through the motions.”

But, like they did against UMass, they rallied to win. They attacked in the second half, opening with a 15-2 run to take the lead.

“When we started putting forth effort, things started to come together for us,” sophomore Ryan Boatright said.

-- Foul shooting was one difference. UConn went 26-for-33, including 24-for-28 after halftime, from the line. South Florida was 14-for-17.

-- UConn played solid defense, limiting South Florida to 34.9 percent from the field. The offensively-challenged Bulls came in shooting 37.7 percent in Big East games.

“The defense was wonderful again,” Ollie said.

-- Junior Shabazz Napier has been UConn’s Mr. Clutch this season.

He scored 11 of his 24 points in overtime, including three straight 3-pointers to start the extra session.

He gave credit to his teammates.

“I just feel like (my teammates) give me the chance to take the shots,” Napier said. “I’m willing to do it make or miss. They keep giving me confidence.”

Napier had an impressive all-around game, finishing with team highs in points, rebounds (8), assists (4) and steals (3) while playing 24 minutes. He had 20 of his points after halftime.

“Napier, especially in the second half, was fantastic,”South Florida coach Stan Heath said.

-- Napier went 7-for-14 from the field overall while the rest of the team converted just 10-for-43,